“My husband is leaving me for my daughter.” “My friend won’t tell his partner about his STD.” “I want to skip my sister’s wedding.” “My girlfriend won’t go anywhere without her chihuahua.” These are just a few of the conundrums Emily Yoffe has fielded in Slate’s twice-weekly “Dear Prudence” column, which for 15 years has offered readers advice on some of the stickiest situations imaginable. Yoffe will chat about the job and take audience questions at Sixth and I Historic Synagogue on Wednesday, September 11 at 7 p.m.
As a trained journalist who started out at The New Republic, Yoffe strives to bring a journalistic approach to the column — “if I don’t have the answer, I’ll go find the answer,” she told Jewish Women International magazine, often enlisting the help of social workers, legal experts, and so on. Following in the footsteps of her Jewish advice columnist foremothers (such as Ann Landers and Dear Abby), Yoffe offers up no-nonsense opinions on what is or isn’t kosher.
Personal life experiences have helped Yoffe address many questions over the years. She has written separately about being a victim of sexual assault, and how she eventually found love with and married a widower. As a result, she is particularly empathetic on certain dilemmas and encourages forgiveness whenever possible. Her views on drinking have been controversial, as she can be quick to identify and criticize what she views as alcohol abuse in reader letters.
There have also been “stomach-turning” inquiries Yoffe doesn’t relate to whatsoever, but she answers them with impressive finesse. For example, she gave almost weirdly level-headed advice to the reader who saw his landlord mid-coitus with his dog.
Her “Prudence” alterego is no stranger to live chats and answering questions on the spot, which she does every Monday through The Washington Post. This format also allows her to include reactions and counter-advice from readers, a welcome part of the column. If you’ve had a burning question in mind, or need some input to start the year 5,774 off right, you may want to wait until Wednesday when you can ask the woman who’s heard it all.
In addition to The New Republic, Yoffe has written on a variety of topics for The New York Times, The Washington Post, O magazine, and Esquire. She hosts the “Manners For The Digital Age” podcast with Slate’s technology columnist, Farhad Manjoo.
Slate editor David Plotz will join the event. Tickets are $20 and can be bought online or by calling TicketFly. Doors open at 6 p.m.
